ESPOO, FINLAND--(Marketwire - March 21, 2013) - A novel drug (ORM-12741) developed by Orion Corporation could improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. According to a Phase IIa study, presented yesterday at American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting in San Diego, ORM-12741 showed significant positive effects on episodic memory in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease.

For the clinical Phase IIa trial, 100 people with moderate Alzheimer's disease and with behavioral symptoms were randomly given either 30 to 60 milligrams or 100 to 200 milligrams of ORM-12741 or matching placebo pill twice a day for three months as add-on therapy to a cholinesterase inhibitor drug. Additionally, use of memantine was allowed. These are the other Alzheimer drugs currently on the market. Neither the researchers nor the participants knew which treatment they were receiving.

Efficacy was assessed primarily with computerized tests from CDR System, from which standard composite scores were derived including Quality of Episodic Memory, Quality of Working Memory, Quality of Memory, Speed of Memory and Power of Attention. Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was assessed to quantify the effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms.

After three months, researchers retested several aspects of the participants' memory and behavior. Those who took ORM-12741 tested higher on the tests of memory compared to those who received the placebo pill. At 3 months, the memory scores for those who received the placebo pill had worsened by 33%, whereas the scores improved by 4% for those who took ORM-12741. Clear and statistically significant positive treatment effects were noted for ORM-12741 on Quality of Episodic Memory (p=0.03) and Quality of Memory (p=0.0127) compared to the placebo group over the 12 week treatment period with no clear difference in efficacy between the two active dose groups. In addition, a positive trend was noted for both Quality of Working memory and NPI total score primarily for the low dose group. No significant differences were identified on the other CDR scores. ORM-12741 was generally well tolerated in the study

"It is exciting to see clear effects demonstrated for the first time in patients with a molecule having a novel mode of action. It is encouraging to see that the effects are particularly clear in variables measuring episodic memory as defect in that is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The results are giving promise for potential to a completely new treatment option to these patients."

Dr Reijo Salonen, Senior Vice President of R&D at Orion added:

"We are happy to see these promising results, especially given the challenges of demonstrating significant clinical improvement in this devastating disease. I am very proud of our scientists and clinicians, who are deeply committed to improving the lives of Alzheimer's patients, and who have worked diligently to discover this compound and design a study that enabled the potential benefits to be revealed."

ORM-12741 is a highly potent and selective alpha-2c adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist that has demonstrated efficacy in rodent models suggesting beneficial effects on cognition and behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, as well as good tolerability across seven phase I studies. It is the first drug to target a specific subtype of adrenergic receptors (alpha-2c) in the brain, which are believed to be involved in modulation of brain functions under stressful conditions.

About Orion

Orion is a globally operating Finnish company developing pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests - a builder of well-being. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic tests. The company is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods. Pharmaceutical R&D focuses on central nervous system drugs, oncology and critical care drugs, and Easyhaler® pulmonary drugs.

Orion's net sales in 2012 amounted to EUR 980 million and the Company had about 3,500 employees. Orion's A and B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.